LOVE: AN OBSERVATION, CELEBRATION OR LIFESTYLE?

This month's observations are: Black historical accomplishments and Valentine's Day. Unlike American history, which has shaped the life of every Black American {and not always in positive ways}; Black history should be acknowledged by all White Americans because, many Black men and women, gave their blood, sweat and tears to make this nation what it is today. The products and achievements of ingenious Black men and women have been a benefit to every citizen of this nation, but unfortunately, American history books are deplete of  any mention of  Black {or Negro} citizens, outside of slavery and the Emancipation Proclamation, which President Abraham Lincoln issued on January 1, 1863. 

As I think about Valentine's Day, I find it ironic that we only celebrate love for one day, when it should be celebrated all year long. One songwriter penned: "Love makes the world go round." I don't believe that love actually causes the world to revolve around the axis of earth, but love does make hearts beat faster and can put pep in the step of those in love. Love feeds the hungry, clothes the naked and makes the lonely feel wanted.  Without love, hatred will rule in the hearts of men, women and children. Anger and hatred are the ingredients for murder and/or genocide., which is what is occurring in our nation today.  We need LOVE to not only survive, but to thrive as individuals, in our families and surrounding communities. 

It’s been a few decades, but I do recall the excitement of Valentine’s Day, when I was in elementary school.  My mother would take me and my siblings to the store to purchase packaged Valentine cards.  Do you remember those cute cards?  They came in several varieties and the individual cards in the package had a simple message of affection with pictures of cupids, hearts and cartoon characters.  I took time to meticulously sign my name on each card and then wrote the names of my favorite classmates on the envelopes provided.  On Valentine’s Day, I proudly took my stash of cards to school to give out during the scheduled class party.  It was a fun time exchanging cards and eating treats, to include candy hearts, cookies and punch.  But, the next day, we returned to school and back to our usual class routine, while anticipating the next holiday party and a chance to get a break from classwork.

The adult tradition of celebrating Valentine’s Day has most often included giving or exchanging  cards—preferably Hallmark; expensive chocolates, personal gifts to include flowers, perfume, jewelry and topping the evening with a movie or dinner at an upscale restaurant.  On this day, expressions of love are freely and generously given to family members, spouses, or that ‘special’ someone.  Like other holidays, it is a day to be enjoyed, but is sometimes dreaded by those, who don’t have anyone special with whom to celebrate.  After all the fanfare and romanticism of Valentine’s Day, it seems that people return unaffected to their usual routines of life.  Shouldn't this popular day of love have some lasting impact on our lives?  I believe that many of us have celebrated this holiday for years without even knowing its’ history.

“The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death or burial -- which probably occurred around 270 A.D.” (Excerpts from www.history.com)

This month many will celebrate Valentine’s Day extravagantly,  others more simply and some will choose not to celebrate at all because, they are alone and/or without God in this world.  I started to think that perhaps, I would have no reason to give attention or observation to this holiday because, I am single and without a significant other.  I started to assume that this year would be just like the last few years. Considering only the commercial observation of Valentine’s Day, I almost fell into the ‘loneliness trap!’ Thank God for His Holy Spirit, Who reminded me that as a believer in Jesus Christ, I am not alone for the Lord has promised never to leave me or forsake me! (Hebrews 13:5b_KJV)  If you know you will be without that ‘special invite’ this year, don’t be discouraged—make a date  to spend your evening with Jesus, the faithful, righteous One, who is full of love.  The Bible declares that God is love (1John 4:16b) and contains many expressions or Valentines of His love, care and desire for you and me.  His timeless love letters found in the Holy Bible were written for all mankind and He continues to ask: “Will you be mine?”

If you would indulge me, I would like to share paraphrases of familiar Bible verses (or Valentines) that express God’s loving care for us:

·       John 3:16 – God loved the world so much, He gave His Only Son, so those in the world would not perish, but have His everlasting life.  This Valentine is for: Whosoever Believeth in Him

·       Matthew 11:28-30 –An invitation to come unto the Lord; to take His yoke, which is easy with a light burden; to learn of Him and find rest for one’s soul.  Addressed to: All Ye that Labor and are Heavy laden

·       Hebrews 4:16 – We are exhorted to come boldly to God’s throne of grace in prayer in order to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  This Valentine is for: All of Us

In preparation for your personal Valentine’s Day celebration, remember to imitate Christ before others.  As you willingly show love to those, who love you; also show love to one another and any strangers in your midst as the Lord commanded. (John 15:12)  When the holiday is over, let love can continue because, God’s love is everlasting. (Jeremiah 31:3)

Remember to set aside some quality time this Valentine’s Day to extol and bless the Lover of your soul. (Psalm 103:1-5)  The Lord always desires to be in fellowship with us and when we get too busy, He woos us by His Holy Spirit.  Remember, Jesus will not force Himself on you but, because of a desire to commune with you, He is standing at the door (of your life) and knocking.  Don’t you hear Him as He softly asks again: “Will you be mine?”  He wants to be your Valentine above all others; to come in to you (your abode) so; He can sup with you and you with Him. (Revelation 3:20) “For He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.  To-day if ye will hear His voice harden not your heart . . .” (Psalm 95:7-8 KJV) If you don’t get the invite or box of gourmet chocolates you expect for Valentine’s Day, Jesus awaits you with something sweeter and calorie-free: eat God’s Words, which are sweeter than honey; Oh taste and see! (Psalm 119:103; Psalm 34:8)

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

MAY YOUR NEW YEAR BE A HOPEFUL YEAR

It's been too long since I have posted, because my schedule didn't allow for blogging until I made time. I was just thinking that although, we're already one month and 5 days into a new year, it's still appropriate to say Happy New Year, which I would like to extend to you!

A new year provides us with a clean slate and the opportunity for possibilities we didn't have during the previous year. It also motivates us to make positive changes based on previous blunders, fears and losses. In order to have better in our lives, we must THINK BETTER. Everything we do in life begins with a word or thought. If you BELIEVE you can, you're right; and if YOU believe you can't, you're right! Proverbs 23:7 says 'as a man thinks in his heart, so is he' {of course, this applies to both genders}. There are so many people today, who are suffering from depression, anxiety and other emotional conditions, but they fail to realize that the root cause of these conditions is wrong thinking {if not due to drug abuse}.

RESOLUTIONS: I quit making resolutions years ago, because I found that I never kept them past the first month. It was like competing with myself just to impress other people. Today, I choose to make lifestyle changes that will improve my physical, spiritual and emotional health. I want to be organized in daily personal tasks and in the workplace. To prevent from vacillating all over the place in my life, I am being diligent about keeping my focus on who and what will keep me grounded. MY FOCUS IS on God and His Word, which is vital for my life. We all have a focus, but it's important that what you focus on what will truly enrich you- not only for the year, but for your entire life. Avoid focusing on who and what can wreck your life in a few months.

Another thing that is needed in a new year is CONSISTENCY. This requires doing the right things over and over again, until they become a habitual. Did you know that it takes 21 days to cultivate a habit: good or bad? The problem with some of us is that we start out well, but end up finishing weak with little to no results. If you don't SET PRIORITIES in your life, you will have a casual regard for most things in your life, when there are things in your life that require higher regard. 

Most of us have friends, right?! Right and wrong! Some people don't ever consider the difference between true, stick around friends and acquaintances with whom they may shoot the breeze with, by doing unproductive things. We don't all agree on what constitutes a friend, but I will share a definition:

friend:
 a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations.

The key words in friendship are bond and mutual affection. A friend is also someone with whom you have a bond of mutual affection, common interests and in whom you can confide about personal things that shouldn't be told to just anyone. It's important to know who to trust, so what you tell another will not be disclosed to others over coffee in the break room at work.  

Although, many people underestimate ASSOCIATION, it is very important in our lives, because we become like the people with whom we associate. There's a colloquial phrase many use that says: "If you lay down with dogs, you will get up with fleas." The Bible speaks clearly about our associations:  “Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend [to show rage or worthy purpose].” (Proverbs 27:17 Amplified Bible)

One thing that is important to me is a relationship with God.  I can't see Him, but I can feel and hear Him speak to me daily. I believe that His Word, which is truth makes a difference in my life. I have always believed in God, His Son Jesus and the Person of the Holy Spirit [the Godhead or Trinity] ; but I didn't always live to please God. I have have had a relationship with the Lord for decades now, but the only regret I have is not making the decision sooner and having a more consistent focus on Him years ago. My not being focused on righteous things interfered with my ability to have consistent fellowship with the Lord. I haven't been a prodigal daughter, but I wasn't always obedient to God's Word either. My experience has been journey and although, I may have made some wrong turns during my journey, I reread the Road-map {the Bible}, considered my life and the need for change, confessed my sins and got back on track. 

I am not suggesting that you find religion, but want you to realize that GOD LOVES YOU.  He and Jesus desire to have a personal relationship with you! God proved His love for us by giving His only begotten Son as a sacrifice to pay for the sin we had inherited from Adam and Eve over 2,000 years ago. We were born with their sin nature, which had a penalty of eternal damnation. There was nothing mankind had in himself that could pay the debt that we owed; and because of Satan's maneuver to ruin our lives and future, we would have been lost forever WITHOUT the shed blood and salvation of Jesus. God had this plan to redeem us after the fall of Adam and Eve; and so at the right time, He sent His son to earth to be born of a virgin girl, named Mary (Matthew 1:23). He was born to be the Savior of the world, the Messiah and the One, who would SAVE US from our sins. Salvation has been and IS still available to whosoever will accept it (John 3:16-17; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8). Jesus had always been with the Father in Heaven, but left His seat at the right hand of the Father to spend three (3) years on earth to redeem us from the hand of Satan.

I invite to you to CONSIDER not only your future on earth, but your future after your life on earth is over.  JESUS is the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE and no man can come unto the God the Father, but by Him {John 14:6). So if you are one, who believes in God, but not His Son, you must realize that if you reject Jesus, you're also rejecting God. What Jesus told the religious skeptics, who refused to believe in Him, during His earthly ministry, I will also tell you:

 " I and the Father are one (John 10:30)."

IF, you will think better, focus on the right people and things, remain consistent in your efforts, set priorities, watch your associations, and consider your life and eternal destination, you will not only have a good year, but a good life: now and for all eternity. 

If you have questions about being born again and receiving Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please don't hesitate to leave me a message: or after careful thought about your life, you realize your need for Salvation, please click on the following link for and pray to accept Jesus as your Savior: Prayer of Salvation.

As always, I thank you for taking the time to read my blog and pray that you will be blessed in 2015,. It is the Lord, Who gives us His favor (what we could never earn) and mercy every day of our lives (withholding from us what we really deserve). SHALOM!